Roads Rivers and Trails

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Tag Archives: James

RRT Boat Pick Up!

What We DoA Day In The Life Of An RRT EmployeeWritten by: James Mobley

Well it is kayak season and that means one thing, we need Kayaks! Every kayaking season means the monthly process of going to get boats for inventory. This season it was my turn to tag along with Joe White. The days are long but always full of fun and adventure. The day trek takes us from Milford, Ohio all the way to Fletcher, North Carolina to a factory known as Legacy Paddle Sports. Legacy is owned and operated in North Carolina, where all of our boats from Liquidlogic and Native Watercraft are produced. The whole round trip is 778 miles and takes about 16 hours by the time you include stops and the loading and unloading of the boats. This season our biggest pick up was 27 boats!

So why do we do this? Because it saves our customers money! We do not add-on a delivery charge to our boats where other company’s do. We also get to stay in tune with what is new and going on in the factory of this American Made product! We are often brought into the factory and onto the main production floor where they share with us the latest technology or products that are in place. (Trust me, Legacy is making some pretty innovative and new products that we are so excited to see released.) The standards at Legacy Paddle Sports is the best in the industry so buy with confidence friends!

While the trip sounds long and like a lot to pack into a day, it isn’t! Joe is good company, lots of good music is played, and good conversations are always to be had. I must admit though, I do nod off at times as he drives! Joe is a champ and is always at the helm as we travel and I continue to offer to drive but it is never needed. I guess you could say Joe is a road warrior and being behind the wheel is what he loves to do, among other things. The trips always offer great scenic views as we head south and go from state to state. My favorite parts always come when we get into the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. The rock faces make me melt inside and all I can think about is my passion for rock climbing. The rushing rivers filling the valley floor remind me of my love for the water and all the magical powers it brings. Nature is truly amazing to me!

What I find most enjoyable about these trips are the happy faces from our customers when they come to pick up their new boats! Many of our customers meet us at RRT as soon as we get back into town to pick up their new boat investment. This means customers meeting us well after 11 pm. As we unwrap their boats and help load them onto their vehicle you can see the happiness in their eyes and face! They know, and we know, that they have made the first steps to make paddling a part of their lives. They want to immerse themselves into mother nature and be surrounded by all of its magical wonders. These customers continue to support RRT and share there adventures with us, and we are happy to have them as a part of the RRT family!

Each boat pick up is a process that leads to greater adventure and untold stories. So come on in and pick up your new boat today, and help us keep this boat pick up process going! I’ve put together a fun video that will help you live our boat pick up adventure. I hope you enjoy it!!

Paddle On Friends!!!

Climb On!!

My wife will tell you that I’m obsessed with climbing. I say I’m passionate about climbing. Either way it is a key part of my life! I’ve been climbing for over 13 years and continue to get more involved in the climbing community. It challenges me to grow my mind, body, and spirit every time I climb, all year long. I fail more times than I succeed but when I do achieve a particular goal it is very gratifying and I grow as a person. I enjoy going to climbing areas and meeting new people in the climbing community. I meet people from all over the world and we all have a common bond, our passion for climbing.

So where do I go to fulfill my passion to climb? I moved to Cincinnati mainly to be closer to The Red River Gorge in Slade Kentucky. The Red is a worldwide destination for climbers. Gritty sandstone, pocketed lines, and steep roof routes make it the mecca of Midwest climbing. Climbing guides for the Red River Gorge are available at Roads Rivers and Trails, located in downtown Milford. The guide will give you ideas for climbing, camping, and restaurants. My favorite place to find all three is Miguel’s Pizza. Miguel’s Pizza is an icon around the world for supporting the climbing community. Their dedication to climbers is evident through their business; gear shop, food, climber camping, and their ongoing support in all the yearly climbing events that take place in the area. On top of all of that, they make the best pizza on the planet, no joke!

But wait, there’s more! Living in Cincinnati gives me access to a number of other great climbing destinations. You can urban climb right in Cincinnati, at Eden Park. The New River Gorge in West Virginia offers features, such as, splinter cracks, ledges, horizontal cracks, and clean lines. On a hot summer day the New also offers great places to jump into the water to cool off after a day of climbing! All this is available within a short drive. Just north of Cincinnati, in Springfield Park, you can boulder limestone rock. Just west of Cincinnati, in Muscatatuck, Indiana, you can boulder along a creek bed. A southeast day trip offers bouldering in Athens, Ohio. In summary, amazing climbing surrounds the Cincinnati area.

If you’re looking for a new way to get fit and meet great people I encourage you to try climbing; be it in one of the local gyms or one of these outside locations! I feel lucky to live in a place with so many great options!